Job growth at the start of 2026 exceeded expectations, offering reassurance that the U.S. labor market remains resilient despite months of subdued hiring and broader economic uncertainty. Fresh data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, well above economists’ forecasts of 55,000 and marking a notable improvement from December’s revised gain of 48,000. The stronger hiring figures were accompanied by a modest decline in the un

Flight operations at El Paso International Airport were briefly suspended on Wednesday after several drones believed to be linked to a Mexican drug cartel entered United States airspace near the Texas border, prompting swift action from federal authorities and defense officials. According to a senior administration official familiar with the matter, the unmanned aircraft crossed into restricted airspace during the early hours of the morning. Security forces quickly intervened and to

Russia has warned that it will respond with military countermeasures if Western nations expand their security presence in Greenland, escalating tensions around the strategically important Arctic territory and widening strains between Moscow, Washington and European capitals. Speaking to Russian lawmakers on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any move to militarise Greenland or establish military capabilities that could threaten Russia would prompt trigger a proportional

Federal authorities confirmed on Wednesday that unmanned aerial vehicles believed to be operated by Mexican drug cartels crossed into United States airspace near El Paso, Texas, prompting heightened security measures and a temporary halt to flight operations at the city’s main airport. The incident triggered a 10-day suspension of flights ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration, which cited security-related concerns while officials assessed potential risks to civilian aviation and th

Many taxpayers are facing a frustrating wait for their tax refunds as nearly 24 lakh income tax returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 have been pending for more than 90 days. According to the Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, as of February 4, 2026, out of 8.79 crore ITRs filed, approximately 24.64 lakh were yet to be processed, leaving millions of individuals waiting for their refunds. The large backlog has triggered concerns, especially for senior citizen

In a major step towards enhancing India's pandemic preparedness, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is rolling out an AI-enabled pathogen surveillance tool under the National One Health Mission (NOHM). This innovative system aims to monitor emerging and novel pathogens to predict and track diseases before they spiral into full-blown outbreaks. The focus is on early detection of zoonotic diseases, viral diseases, bacterial infections, and even parasitic threats that can have far-rea

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, expressed confidence that the DMK would form the government on its own after the upcoming 2026 elections. Despite buzz surrounding a potential rift between the DMK and Congress, Stalin reassured that the alliance between the two parties remained strong, with the DMK and Congress contesting the election together. He emphasized that the question of power-sharing would not arise at this stage, as the DMK was confident of making "even greater inroads" than in

The controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has deepened following two posts by Penguin India, three years apart. The row began when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the book during the Budget Session of Parliament. Gandhi was seen holding a copy of the book, which has yet to be published and is still awaiting clearance from the Defence Ministry. The confusion stems from a Decem

Andhra Pradesh's Assembly saw an action-packed session today, marked by a brief yet intense protest from YS Jagan and his YCP MLAs. After a year of absence, the opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy made a quick entry into the Assembly, along with his party members. They began their appearance by singing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, before immediately raising slogans during the Governor's speech. The slogans, such as "Law and order must be saved," were aimed at dra

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia’s appointment as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, specifically for the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap, has sparked a political storm in Karnataka. This is not an isolated case, as it is a common practice for state governments to appoint prominent celebrities to promote certain sectors. For instance, Samantha was previously appointed as the Telangana handloom brand ambassador. However, Tamannaah’s appointment has triggered a wav

The Indian government has issued a new directive requiring the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram to be sung or played at all official ceremonies and state functions. The rendition, lasting approximately three minutes and ten seconds, will now be mandatory during significant events, including the unfurling of the Tricolour, the arrival of the President at formal gatherings, and before and after their speeches. The government’s decision aims to ensure uniformity and consi

A tragic incident occurred in Delhi’s Jungpura area on Monday night when a 37-year-old woman, Sumati, was accidentally shot and killed by her son, Tarun, who was allegedly handling an illegal firearm at their home. The victim, a domestic help who supported her family, was struck in the face by a bullet from a country-made pistol while her son was reportedly showing it to her. The fatal shot led to her death on the spot. The incident was discovered after a PCR call was received fro

At least nine people have been killed in a violent incident in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that unfolded across a secondary school campus and a nearby residence, prompting a large-scale police response and renewed concerns about public safety in the remote northern community. Federal authorities confirmed that seven victims were fatally shot inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two others were later found dead at a separate home location connected to the case. According

China has said it understands and respects India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, marking a notable shift in tone as the two Asian powers work to stabilise relations after several years of tension. The statement came during high-level diplomatic talks in New Delhi and is being viewed as a cautious but significant gesture aimed at rebuilding trust between the neighbours. China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu conveyed the po

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials of APSRTC to introduce a fleet of 1,000 electric buses in a bid to transform the state’s public transport system into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable one. This directive is part of the government’s larger vision to encourage green energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions in the state. During a review meeting held at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized the growing need for cl

The Tirumala Laddu adulteration case, a scandal that has rocked the religious and culinary world, has reached the highest legal corridors with the Supreme Court intervening and ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-led Special Investigation Team (SIT). The case has stirred a hornet’s nest due to the large-scale adulteration of the famous sacred laddus with harmful substances, undermining its spiritual significance. Now, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly stepping into

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

Chloe Kim is set to make her long-awaited debut at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics this week, stepping into the women’s snowboard halfpipe with both momentum and adversity shaping her return. The 25-year-old American star, widely regarded as one of the most dominant riders in the sport, will compete in Italy for the first time while managing a lingering shoulder injury that has tested her preparation in the lead-up to the Games. The women’s halfpipe qualification rounds begin